Mississippi gave birth to my maternal grandparents and their legion of siblings and cousins. My grandpa is still kicking it today as he preps to celebrate his 90th birthday. His mom, my great-grand, almost made it to 100. “Hardy stock” -- that’s what we always said. But somewhere along the line that changed.

The question of course is: What do we do? There’s the obvious advice for expectant mamas: Be healthy. Don’t smoke. Don’t drink. Exercise. Get prenatal checkups. But getting that message out takes time and money. Walk in a March of Dimes walkathon or write a check to First Candle. Let’s all do something to get more babies to their first birthday.